Texas Rangers CEO & PRESIDENT Nolan Ryan speaks with members of the media in the Rangers dugout at Minute Maid Park Wednesday, June 29, 2011, in Houston.
( James Nielsen / Houston Chronicle )

Texas Rangers CEO & PRESIDENT Nolan Ryan speaks with members of the media in the Rangers dugout at Minute Maid Park Wednesday, June 29, 2011, in Houston.
( James Nielsen / Houston Chronicle )

Photo: James Nielsen, Staff

Image 5 of 15

Image 6 of 15

Ex-Houston Astros players Craig Biggio, left, and Nolan Ryan, who's also the principal owner, president and CEO of the Texas Rangers, visit before a Major League Baseball game between the Texas Rangers and Houston Astros, Friday, May 18, 2012, in Minute Maid Park in Houston. ( Nick de la Torre / Houston Chronicle ) less

Ex-Houston Astros players Craig Biggio, left, and Nolan Ryan, who's also the principal owner, president and CEO of the Texas Rangers, visit before a Major League Baseball game between the Texas Rangers and ... more

Photo: Nick De La Torre, Staff

Image 7 of 15

From left: Marc Mattsson, Nolan Ryan and Pat Hogan at the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the Texas Heart Institute at the Westin Galleria Tuesday Sept. 18,2012.(Dave Rossman/For the Chronicle)

From left: Marc Mattsson, Nolan Ryan and Pat Hogan at the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the Texas Heart Institute at the Westin Galleria Tuesday Sept. 18,2012.(Dave Rossman/For the Chronicle)

Photo: Dave Rossman, Freelance

Image 8 of 15

Texas Rangers President and CEO and Ex-Houston Astro throws the first pitch before a Major League Baseball game between the Houston Astros and Texas Rangers, Friday, May 18, 2012, in Minute Maid Park in Houston. ( Nick de la Torre / Houston Chronicle ) less

Texas Rangers President and CEO and Ex-Houston Astro throws the first pitch before a Major League Baseball game between the Houston Astros and Texas Rangers, Friday, May 18, 2012, in Minute Maid Park in ... more

Photo: Nick De La Torre, Staff

Image 9 of 15

Chris Nielsen wears a number 34 Houston Astros Nolan Ryan jersey as he heads to his seat at Wrigley Field on Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2012, in Chicago. Nielsen, who is from Michigan, said he wasn't really an Astros fan, he just really liked the vintage rainbow jersey. The season finale marked the Astros final game as a National League team. ( Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle ) less

Chris Nielsen wears a number 34 Houston Astros Nolan Ryan jersey as he heads to his seat at Wrigley Field on Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2012, in Chicago. Nielsen, who is from Michigan, said he wasn't really an Astros ... more

Photo: Smiley N. Pool

Image 10 of 15

Image 11 of 15

(l-r) Legendary Astros Broadcaster Milo Hamilton talks with hall of fame pitcher Nolan Ryan. The Houston Astros honored Milo Hamilton Tuesday October 16, 2012, during the Blue Star Gala saluting Hall of Fame broadcaster Milo Hamilton at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas.
The gala was a gathering of many former Major League stars that wanted to honor the work of Hamilton. (Billy Smith II / Houston Chronicle) less

(l-r) Author Mickey Herskowitz talks with Legendary Astros Broadcaster Milo Hamilton along with hall of fame pitcher Nolan Ryan The Houston Astros honored Milo Hamilton Tuesday October 16, 2012, during the Blue Star Gala saluting Hall of Fame broadcaster Milo Hamilton at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas.
The gala was a gathering of many former Major League stars that wanted to honor the work of Hamilton. (Billy Smith II / Houston Chronicle) less

Nolan Ryan, president and CEO of the Texas Rangers, greets "Rangers Captain, left, the team's mascot, and the "Ballapeno," mascot of the San Antonio Missions baseball team, during a press conference on Friday, Nov. 16, 2012, to announce "Big League Weekend," a two-game set between the Texas Rangers and the San Diego Padres to be played in the Alamodome on March 29-30, 2013. less

Nolan Ryan, president and CEO of the Texas Rangers, greets "Rangers Captain, left, the team's mascot, and the "Ballapeno," mascot of the San Antonio Missions baseball team, during a press conference on Friday, ... more

Photo: Billy Calzada, Staff

Image 14 of 15

Nolan Ryan, president and CEO of the Texas Rangers baseball team, speaks during a press conference on Friday, Nov. 16, 2012, to announce "Big League Weekend," a two-game set between the Texas Rangers and the San Diego Padres to be played in the Alamodome on March 29-30, 2013. less

Nolan Ryan, president and CEO of the Texas Rangers baseball team, speaks during a press conference on Friday, Nov. 16, 2012, to announce "Big League Weekend," a two-game set between the Texas Rangers and the ... more

Photo: Billy Calzada, Staff

Image 15 of 15

Ex-Astro Nolan Ryan reportedly on verge of leaving Texas Rangers

1 / 15

Back to Gallery

Six months ago, Nolan Ryan was the front-office face of the highly successful Texas Rangers.

The club faltered down the stretch last season, though. The Rangers then had a rough offseason, which included the departure of slugger Josh Hamilton and failed pursuit of several premier free agents.

Friday, the Rangers unexpectedly announced a front-office shakeup.

According to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram's Randy Galloway, Ryan could soon walk away from the club he's helped build into annual contender - and one of the Astros' new American League West foes.

As a pitcher, Ryan spent more seasons (nine) with the Astros than any other team and was a key part of the club's storied 1986 squad, which fell 4-2 to the the New York Mets in the National League Championship Series. Ryan's largely been associated with the Rangers since retiring, though, and has only been loosely affiliated with the Astros. The Hall of Fame hurler recently attended an October gala at Minute Maid Park honoring Astros broadcaster Milo Hamilton.

Rangers' press release:

The Texas Rangers announced today the promotions of General Manager Jon Daniels to President of Baseball Operations/General Manager and the promotion of Chief Operating Officer Rick George to President of Business Operations.

In their respective roles, Daniels and George will continue to oversee the day-to-day baseball and business operations of the Rangers organization under the leadership of Chief Executive Officer Nolan Ryan.

"Under Nolan Ryan's leadership over the last five years, the Rangers organization has made enormous strides both on and off the field," said Rangers Co-Chairman Ray Davis and Bob Simpson. "On the baseball side, Nolan has helped Jon Daniels develop into one of the game's top executives. Off the field, Rick George has worked with Nolan to find new ways to drive growth and to make sure our fan experience is among the best in baseball. These promotions not only reflect the day to day responsibility Nolan has assigned to Jon and Rick, but also the terrific job they have done. We are fortunate to have such an experienced and talented leadership team, led by Nolan, that puts our fans first and is committed to winning."

"I am proud of what we have accomplished as an organization over the last several years," said Ryan. "That has been due in large part to the efforts of a lot of talented and dedicated individuals who work in all areas of the ballclub. I want to congratulate Jon and Rick on their promotions as the organization moves forward with a tremendous group of employees to achieve an even greater level of excellence in 2013 and in the years to come. "

Daniels is in his eighth season overseeing the Rangers baseball operation after being appointed General Manager in October 2005. This is his 12th overall season with the organization. His tenure has seen a complete overhaul of the Rangers farm system and the development of an organizational philosophy based on strong scouting and player development. Texas has advanced to the postseason in three consecutive seasons for the first time in franchise history, including back-to-back American League pennants in 2010 and 2011. The Rangers were also selected as the 2012 Topps Organization of the Year.

George joined the Texas organization as Chief Operating Officer in October 2010 and oversees all revenue-generating and team business areas in that role including ticket sales, corporate partnerships, ballpark operations, and communications. The Rangers have established franchise records for home attendance and sponsorship revenues in each of the last two seasons. In 2012, Texas finished third among the 30 major league clubs for both overall home attendance at 3,460,280 and average home attendance of 42.720 while setting another club mark with 38 sellouts at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.

Baseball's all-time strikeout leader and a first ballot Hall of Famer, Ryan rejoined the Rangers as team President in February 2008 and added the title of Chief Executive Officer in March 2011.